Construction Attorneys Help Subcontractors Settle Issues
When you think of a construction attorney, you probably think of a lawyer who represents a property owner who has sustained financial losses as the result of the negligence committed by a general contractor. At Alves Radcliffe, most of the cases that we handle concern the legal grievance or grievances that a property owner has with a general contractor as the result of a failed construction project. However, we also represent another type of client that has endured the financial losses caused by a general contractor.
Our law firm represents subcontractors who have sustained financial losses as the result of the negligence committed by a general contractor.
Construction law addresses the legal issues that arise because of the breaching of state, local, and federal laws. A construction attorney represents several types of clients who have a wide variety of legal complaints, such as construction defects and the use of faulty materials. We represent homeowners, as well as the owners of commercial buildings. Other clients that we have represented include architects, developers, and construction project managers. In addition, a significant number of our clients are subcontractors who want to file a legal complaint for one or more reasons.
Breach of contract represents one of the most common reasons why subcontractors file legal complaints against general contractors. A breach of contract can involve failing to pay for specified materials or terminating a contract before a project ends. Another common reason for a subcontractor to file a lawsuit against a general contractor concerns compensation. A general contractor who stops paying a subcontractor for work already completed might face legal ramifications in the form of a civil lawsuit. If you are a subcontractor who sustained one or more injuries while under the supervision of a general contractor, you might qualify to file a workers’ compensation claim.
What Are the Ways to Resolve a Dispute Between a Subcontractor and a General Contractor?
Subcontractors have four ways to resolve a legal dispute with a general contractor. Mediation involves the participation of a neutral third party who issues a non-binding decision. A mediator encourages discussions between both parties, while also stressing areas of agreement and helping to bridge differences. On the other hand, arbitration leads to a binding decision issued as the result of the arbitration provisions written into a construction. As the third way to resolve a legal dispute, both parties can negotiate a settlement that keeps a legal case from entering the trial phase of the litigation process. Finally, litigation should be the last recourse for resolving a legal case between a subcontractor and a general contractor.
How a Construction Attorney Helps a Subcontractor
Hiring a construction attorney might be enough to convince a general contractor to resolve a legal conflict outside of the judicial system. Negotiating a settlement can save you a considerable amount of time and money. However, a construction lawyer also helps a subcontractor avoid getting into a legal conflict with a general contractor. Your lawyer meticulously reviews the proposed construction contract to ensure you have all the legal bases covered. A construction attorney maintains all the documents required to take legal action, if necessary. Gathering physical evidence also is an important part of a construction attorney’s legal services.
Hiring a construction attorney to resolve a conflict with a general contractor can be the difference between resolving your case quickly or being embroiled in a legal dispute for years to come.